Tong apparatus



SPL 29, 1959 s. is. HEPPENSTALL, JR 2,906,555

TONG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 7, 1956 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 1vv IN VEN TOR.Samuel B. Heppensla/l, Jn

HIS` ATTORNEYS Sept. 29, 1959- s. B. HEPPENSTALL., JR 2,906,555

ToNG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 7, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR Samuel B.Heppensfa/l, Jn

Bm/Wmw HIS A T TOR/VEYS Sept. 29,A 1959 s. B. HEPPENSTALL, .n

ToNG APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7. 195e o., m. r L. m 3 m @ma.. Tm i r n IN VEN TOR.

4, amas/B. Happensfa/l, .In

mi fam/1f HIS ATTORNEYS s. B. HEPPENSTALL, JR 906,555

sept. 29, 1959 I TONG APPARATUSy Filed Feb. 7, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Fig] INVEN TOR. Samuel B. Heppensfa/l, Jl.

m, n@ 4M -5 M HAS` ATTORNEYS TONG APPARATUS Samuel B. Heppenstall, Jr.,Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to American Forge and Manufacturing Company,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 7,1956, Serial No. 563,938

6 Claims. (Cl. 294-88) This invention relates to a tong device andparticularly, to tong apparatus for engaging, lifting and transportingcoils of strip material.

One phase of the invention pertains to means for manipulating andcontrolling the utilization of such tongs.

An object of the invention is to produce to-ng apparatus of the kindindicated, provided with means for engaging and lifting a coil of stripmaterial independently of whether the coil occupies an upright positionor is on its side at the time of being engaged by tongs of theapparatus.

Another object is to provide coil-lifting tong apparatus with means forengaging a coil of strip material and lifting the same independently ofthe position of the coil at the time of such engagement, and whichprovides means that may be angled as unit with respect to the tongs. f

A further obiect is to provide such tong apparatus with means forturning the coil through a quarter of a revolutionfwhile the same issupported `by tongs so-as to enable the coil to be set down in either anupright or a ho-rizontal position andA independently of the position ofthe coil at the time it was initially engaged by the tongs.

A still further object of the invention is to produce crane-handlingtong apparatus of the kind designated, eg., apparatus capable of beingmanipulated from the cab of an overhead crane, and to provide suchapparatus with means adjustable from the cab of the crane for changingthe angular position of the work-engaging elements of the apparatusprior to and also during engagement of such elements with a coil ofstrip material.

These and other objects which will be made more apparent throughout thefurther description of the invention, are attained by means of apparatussuch as is ill-ustrated in the accompanying drawings. y l

:In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation of tong apparatusembodying my invention, the linkage forming a part thereof is shown inthe collapsed position and the tong apparatus is shown in the fully openposition and in association with a coil of strip material which is shownin dotted lines and so positioned relatively to the tong apparatus thatit will be grasped thereby by a closing movement of that apparatus.

Figure 1A is a view similar to Figure l, but showing the opposite sideof the apparatus from that shown in Figure l; y Y

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a portion of the tong apparatusillustrated in Figure l, theyiew being taken from a position indicatedby the line II--II associated with Figure l;

Figure 3 is an end section taken along the line III-III lof Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure l, butvrshowing the relationship ofparts of the apparatusfwhen .they have been moved to a tong-closingposition; in this figure, the linkage lis in an expanded position;Figure 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparams-shown inFigure. l and illustrating a manipulating United States Patent C) iceand control feature of the invention by means of which the Work-engagingelements of the tong apparatus may be turned to different angularpositions, either before or after its tongs are in engagement with workto be lifted and transported. The apparatus is shown in association witha diagrammatic representation of a coil of strip material engaged by thetongs andheld in a position by the work-engaging elements, such that theaxis of the coil extends horizontally;

Figure 6 is an end view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure l andillustrating relative positions of parts of the apparatus while thework-engagingelements of the apparatus are in lifting engagement with acoil located in a vertical or upright position;

Figure 7 is a View corresponding to .Figure 6, but taken o-n the lineVII-VII of Figure 5; it discloses relative positions of partsV ofapparatus embodying the invention when the work-engaging elements are ingripping engagement with a coil of strip material that is located in ahorizontal position, i.e., a position such as indicated in Figure 5.

The present invention contemplates coil-lifting tong apparatus equippedwith work-engaging elements which are capable of being turned todiierent positions, so that a coil of strip material may be eifectivelyengaged and lifted independently of the position of the coil. example,the coil` may be engaged and lifted whether it is in an uprightposition, i.e., with the coil axis extending vertically, or is in someother position, for example, on its side with the axis of the coilextending horizontally. The illustrated embodiment of the inventiondiscloses a well known type of coil handling tongs which is providedwith manipulating .or control means or apparatus such that thecoil-engaging elements may be simultaneously turnedto diierent angularpositions for the purpose of effectively engaging a coil of stripmaterial, independently of the positio-n of the coil prior to suchengagement. In addition, the manipulating or control apparatusillustrated is such that the turning movement of the coilengagingelements may be controlled from a position remote from the apparatus,yas for example, the cab of the overhead crane which is handling thedevice.

It should be noted that the unit may be portable with its own standardor frame instead of being suspended from a hoist or crane and may beoperated or manipulated from the door or from a crane.

In addition, the manipulator or control apparatus illus- ,trated is suchthata coil of strip material may be turned to diierent angular positionsafter it is engaged and lifted by the tong apparatus. kFor the purposeof structural simplicity, the apparatus illustrated limits the turningmovement of the coil-.engaging elements, to an angular movement througha quarter of a revolution. Consequently, these elements may bepositioned to engage and pick up a coil lying von its side or standingin' an upright position and, after the coil is engaged and lifted by thetongs, the work-engaging elements may be turned to set the coil down ineither an upright position or in a horizontal position. That is to'say,the coil-engaging elements can be adjusted as to position both prior toengagement with a coil and also after the coil has been engaged andlifted by the to-ng apparatus, and this position adjustment may becontrolled from a point remote from the tongs, i.e., from the cab of acrane to which apparatus or unit is temporarily attached.

The device is designed particularly from the standpoint of the largestcoil to be. handled, so that the tilting takes place about the center ofgravity of such a coil to minimize strain on the coil. When smaller sizecoils are handled, the strain is less, even although the tilting may notbe entirely about the center of gravity. AThat is,

the Vdevice will manipulate the widest coil substantially on For orabout its center of gravity. Another important feature is that each coilis gripped through its wall thickness.

While the tongs illustrated in Figure l are shown as equipped withmanipulator apparatus, the linkage per se is of an old type. The tongsinclude two opposed grappling members 8 and 9. The member 8 is shown asoperatively secured to one of the coil-engaging elements which is shownin the drawings as a gripper plate 10, so formed that it is adapted toengage a peripheral portion of a coil such as A. The grappling member 9is shown as a substantially L-shaped member and it is operativelyconnected to another coil-engaging element 11 by means of the apparatushereafter described. The element 11 is shown in the form of a nosemounted on a rigid bar 35 and so located that it is capable of enteringthe central cavity of a coil A of strip material, preliminary to thegripping and lifting of the coil.

A reference to Figures l, lA, and 4 will disclose that the deviceillustrated includes what may be termed a tension bar 12 to which eachof the members 8 and 9 is pivotally connected, as later described. Thetongs also include usual linkage shown in the drawings as includinglinks 13 and 14 which are pivotally connected together at one end by apin 16 which also forms a pivotal support for a clevis which is adaptedto be engaged by a crane hook (not shown). is pivotally connected to alink 17 which is pivotally connected by pin 20 to the grappling member8. Also, the link 14 is pivotally connected to a link 18 which ispivotally connected by pin 22 to the grappling member 9. The links 17and 18 are pivotally connected to the tension bar 12 by pins 19 and 21,respectively. The grappling member 9 is also connected to the tensionbar 12 by a link 23 and pin 24. The link 23 is connected to the bar 12by the pin 19. The grappling member S is pivotally connected to the bar12 by one of two equalizing plates 25 and by pins 28 and 29.

As shown` the grappling member 8 is specially formed, is substantiallyL-shaped, and carries a housing at the lower end of its depending leg(see Figures l and 4). The grappling member 9 may be of the usualbar-like form, but as shown (see also Figures 1A and 5),'is ofsubstantially L-shape. The depending leg of the member 9 constitutes ahousing 31 that extends downwardly to a point opposite the lower end ofthe grappling member 8 and the housing 30 that is secured to thatmember. The housing 30 provides a support for a fulcrum pin 32. One endof the pin 32 is shown as supported by the The link 13 grappling member8 and the other end overhangs a support carried by the housing 30 toprovide a support for gripper plate 10. In order that side gripper plateor work-engaging element 10 will be capable of readily adjusting itselfto the peripheral surface of a coil engaged by it, the fulcrum pin 32 isprovided with a rounded head 33 (see Figures 1 and 4) which ts anappropriately formed socket in the rear portion of the gripper plate 10.

The housing 31 carries at its lower end a fulcrum pin 34 which, asshown, is spaced from, but axially aligned with the pin 32. Bothspaced-apart and opposed fulcrum pins 32 and 34 extend horizontally.Work-engaging element or nose 11 is secured to a rigid U-shaped carrierbar 35. Therbar 35 is provided at its ends with legs 36 and 37 whichextend at right angles thereto and are respectively pivotally supportedon the fulcrum pins 34 and 32. That is to say, the leg 36 is providedadjacent its lower end with a bearing which engages the pin 34 and whichis preferably formed in two parts so as to surround that pin. Likewise,the leg 37 is provided with a bearing adjacent its lower end whichengages and surrounds the fulcrum pin 32. With this arrangement it willbe apparent that the bar 35 is capable of being swung to differentpositions around the aligned fulcrum pins 32 and 34 and that, therefore,nose or work-engaging element 11 is capable of being turned to differentangular positions by reason of the swinging movement of the bar 35.

Suitable means are employed for shifting the angular position of thegripper plate 10 so that it corresponds to the angular position of thenose 11. One convenient way of doing this is to groove the upper end ofthe plate 10 (as it is shown in Figure 1), so that the groove formedtherein slidably engages an intermediate portion of the bar 35, underconditions such that the plate 10 is readily movable along the bar. Inaddition, the plate 10 is so mounted that it is capable of turning todifferent positions around the fulcrum pin 32. With such an arrangementof structural parts, the plate 10 will turn with the bar 35 as the barswings to different positions about the fulcrum pins, but at the sametime, will be capable of relative motion longitudinally of the bar inresponse to the movement of the grappling members 8 and 9.

In the apparatus illustrated (see Figures 1, 4 and 5 to 7), the bar 35is turned to different positions around the fulcrum pins 32 and 34 bymeans of an electric motor 38a which actuates or drives a speed reducer38 that is mounted on the grappling member 9. The speed reducer 38 moveswith the grappling member 9 and is operatively coupled to a crank shaft39 which includes as a part thereof a crank pin 39a. The pin 39a isconnected to an actuating pin 40 by a connecting rod 41. The pin 40 iscarried by a lug 42 formed on a bearing rotatively mounted on pin 34 andsecured to the leg 36 of the bar 35. The radius of revolution of thecrank pin 39a is so proportioned to the distance of the axis of the pin40 from the axis of the fulcrum pin 34 that as the crank shaft 39 turnsthrough half a revolution the connecting rod 41 moves the carrier bar 35through a quarter turn around the axes of the fulcrum pins 32 and 34 andthus the movement of the bar 35 is a quarter turn in one direction andthen a quarter turn back in the other direction during each completerevolution of the crank shaft 39.

Figure 6 illustrates the position of the crank pin 39a when the bar 35is in the position there illustrated, i.e., the position shown in Figurel. Figure 7 shows the crank pin 39a in a position 180 from the positionof Figure 6 and discloses the bar 35 swung to a position 90 from thatillustrated in Figure 6 and such that the nose 11 projects in ahorizontal direction (see Figure 5).

Figure 6 also diagrammatically illustrates a coil of strip material A inan upright position, i.e., with the axis of the coil vertical. whereasFigure 7 shows the coil located in a horizontal position. From the viewsof Figures 6 and 7 it will also be apparent that the continued rotationof the crank shaft 39 will shift the bar 35 from one position to theother, i.e., will move it back and forth through an arc-shaped path ofin length as the crank pin 39a moves through the dead center position(shown in both Figures 6 and 7). The bar 35 cornes to rest on one of thedead center positions at the will of the operator, as controlled by alimit switch 46 and a magnetic brake 47 that are hooked up to the motorand reducer (see Figures 1 and 4). It is in a gripping position ateither location.

While Figures 1 and 5 indicate the grappling member 9 as speciallyformed so as to provide a support for the bar- 35 (see also Figures 6and 7), the motor 38a, the reducer 38 and the fulcrum pin 34, it will beapparent that the bar-shaped member 9 may be equipped with aseparately-formed L-shaped housing to support the fulcrum pin 34 andprovide a support for the motor 38a and reducer 38.

It will be noted that Figure 4, when considered in connection withFigures l and 1A, makes it apparent that as the tongs move from thefully open position of Figure l to the closed position of Figure 4, thatthe -grappling member 9 moves forwardly-endwise of the tension bar-12V(to the left in Figure 4). Likewise the ,grappling member 8 movesbackwardly-endwise relative to the'bar 12, or toward the right in Figure4, The two grappling members 8 and 9 thus move relatively in thesemovements toward and along each other and with respect to tension bar12.

It will be noted that the member 9 (of L-shape) has a longitudinal upperarm portion that is bifurcated or of trough shape (see Figures 2 and 3)and open upwardly and at its ends to guidably receive an upperlongitudinal arm portion of the member 8 (also of L-shape). Side strips9a along opposed inner side walls of the upper portion of the member 9slidably receive and guide the upper portion of the member 8 therealong.Thus, the fulcrum pins 32 and 34l are retained in axial alignmentthroughout all the movements of the members 8 and 9 with respect to eachother. Also as a result, the members 8 and 9 are moved endwise of eachother (back yand forth) by linkage means, such as the links 13, 14, 17and 18 that form a part of the illustrated tong apparatus.

In Figure l we have shown a latching mechanism 45 carried by the link 17and cooperating witha socket member 45a that is carried by theequalizing bar 12. The latching member 45 is employed to automaticallyhold the tongs in either an open or a closed position and is fullydescribed in the expired patents to Gellert 1,506,827and Heppenstall1,839,389.

It will be apparent that the device or apparatus of my invention ineffect provides a separate manipulator or control unit for gripping,picking up and tilting coils. Such unit is operated by the linkage togrip and liftV a coil A and by its own mechanism, to tilt its coilgripping parts in an angular relationship with respect to theirsupporting means, and to thus tilt the coil.

What I claim is:

1. Lifting tong apparatus for engagement and transportation of coils ofstrip material, including oppositelydisposed coil-engaging elements; twojuxtapositioned grappling members; a pair of spaced-apart and axiallyaligned fulcrum pins, each rigidly mounted on a separate one of saidmembers; one of said coil-engaging elements being pivotally mounted onone of said pins; a rigid carrier bar bridging the space between andpivotally mounted on said pins, and movable longitudinally along the oneof said pins and longitudinally of itself with the other of said pins;said one coil-engaging element slidably engaging said carrier bar, theother of said elements being mounted on said carrier bar; meansincluding linkage operatively connected to said members for actuatingsaid members and said carrier bar to move said elements toward and awayfrom each other; means operatively connected to said carrier bar forturning it and both said elements to different positions around saidfulcrum pins, comprising a motor carried by one of said grapplingmembers, a crank pin rotated by said motor through a completerevolution, an actuating pin spaced from said crank pin and operativelysecured to said carrier bar at a point adjacent one of said fulcrumpins; a connecting rod operatively connected to said crank pin and saidactuating pin and actuated by said crank pin, the radius of revolutionof said crank pin being so proportioned to the radial distance of theaxis of said actuating pin from the common axis of said fulcrum pins,that as the crank pin moves through half a revolution, the connectingrod moves said actuating pin and said carrier bar through a quarter turnaround the common axis of said fulcrum pins.

2. A lifting tong apparatus for engagingand transporting coils of stripmaterial, including two juxtapositioned and relatively movable grapplingmembers; two fulcrum pins located in spaced, axial alignment, onerigidly mounted on one of said members and the other rigidly mounted onthe other such member; a rigid bar bridging the space between said pinsand rotatively mounted on both said pins for longitudinal movement ofitself with one of said pins and relative to and along the other of saidpins; a pair of oppositely disposed coil-engaging elements; one suchelement rigidly secured to and movable with said bar, the other suchelement operatively connected, t0 one of said grappling members andengaging -said bar, said other element being movable with said onemember and along said bar toward and away from the one of said elements;linkage means operatively connected to said members for moving saidelements toward and away from each other; means operatively connected tosaid bar for turning it and both said elements to different angularpositions around the common axis of said fulcrum pins, vsaid meanscomprising a motor Amounted on one of said grappling members, a crankshaft driven by said motor, a crank pin of said shaft and movabletherewith throughout a complete revolution; an actuating` pinoperatively secured to said bar at a point adjacent to but spaced fromone of said fulcrurn pins, and a connecting yrod Oper.- ativelyconnected to said crank pin and said actuating pin, the radius ofrevolution of said crank pin being so proportioned to the radialdistance of the axis of said actuating pin from the common axis of saidfulcrum pins, that as the crank pin is moved by said motor through halfa revolution, the connecting rod moves said actuating pin and said rigidbar through a quarter turn around the common axis of said fulcrum pins.

3. A coil handling tong apparatus including in its make-up twojuxtapositioned, relatively movable grappling members, each having adependingl portion located at one end thereof so arranged that saidportions` are located in spaced alignment with relation to each other; apivotally mounted carrier bar extending between the depending portionsof both said members, said bar being slidably mounted on one of saidmembers for relative movement therewith; a coil-engaging element adaptedto engage a peripheral surface of a coil, pivotally mounted on thedepending portion of said one member and slidably engaging said carrierbar; a second coil-engaging element located between said dependingportions and rigidly secured to said carrier bar and adapted to beinserted in the central cavity of a coil to be transported; a pair oflinks forming a part of said tong apparatus each operatively connectedto a separate one of said members; means including linkage forming apart of said tong apparatus for actuating said linksto move said membersback and forth relatively to each other; a motor mounted on one of saidmembers; and means actuated by said motor for turning said carrier barand both the coil-engaging elements to different positions relatively tosaid grappling members.

4. A lifting tong apparatus for engaging and transporting coils of stripmaterial, including in its make-up two juxtapositioned relativelymovable grappling members, each having a depending portion located atone end thereof and so positioned that said portions are located insubstantially aligned spaced relationship; a work-engaging elementpivotally mounted on the depending portion of one ofsaid grapplingmembers; an elongated carrier bar operatively engaged by saidwork-engaging element and extending between and pivotally mounted on thedepending portions of both said grappling members and movable relativelyto said one of such members on which said work-engaging element ismounted, and longitudinally of itself with the other of said members; asecond work-engaging element mounted on said bar at a point intermediatethe ends thereof and movable with said bar toward and away from saidfirst-mentioned coil-engaging element; means for relatively moving saidmembers longitudinally of each other; and means including a motoroperatively connected to said bar for simultaneously turning said barand both said coil-engaging elements to different positions relativelyto the depending portions of said grappling members.

5. A lifting tong apparatus for engaging and trans-` porting coils ofstrip material, including in its make-up two juxtapositioned,Yrelatively movable grappling members; a separate fulcrum pin mounted oneach of said grappling members with such pins located in aligned spacedrelationship; an elongated bar bridging the space between said fulcxumpins and pivotally mounted on both of said pins and movablelongitudinally of itself with one of said members and relatively to theother of said members; a work-engaging element rigidly secured to saidbar; a second work-engaging element pivotally mounted on one of saidfulcrum pins and operatively connected to said bar; means for relativelymoving said work-engaging elements toward and away from each other; amotor mounted on one of said members; a crank shaft operatively coupledto said motor; a crank pin forming a part of said crank shaft; aseparate bearing secured to said bar at each end thereof, with each suchbearing rotatably mounted on a separate one of said pins; an actuatingpin secured to one of said bearings and movable around but 'spaced fromthe adjacent fulcrum pin; and a connecting 'rod operatively connected tosaid crank pin and said actuating pin for swinging said bar and saidwork-engaging elements back and forth about the common axis of saidfulcrum pins.

6. A lifting tong apparatus for engaging and transporting coils of stripmaterial, and including in'its make-up two, 4juxtapositioned andrelatively movable grappling members; a rigid carrier bar extending fromone to the other of said grappling members, pivotally mounted on bothsaid members and movable longitudinally of itself with one-such memberand relatively to the other such member; a work-engaging element rigidlymounted on said bar intermediate the ends thereof; a secondwork-engaging element pivotally mounted on one of said members andslidably engaging said bar; linkage means forming a part of said tongapparatus and operatively connected to said members for occasioningrelative movement of said members to move said elements into and out ofgripping engagement with a coil of strip material; an electric motormounted on and movable with one of said members; and means driven bysaid motor and operatively coupled to said bar for tilting said bar andboth said work-engaging elements to different angular positions relativeto said members. v

References Cited in the file of this patent OTHER REFERENCES Publicationby Clark Equipment Co., Industrial Truck Division, Battle Creek, Mich.entitled Upender Clamp Attachment (4 pages) received in U.S. Patent OiceDecember 19, 1949.

www

